







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Maybe I get a bit moody on the first day of my period. | |
| Oh, sorry, I also need a grater for the cheese. | |
| I like the seafood restaurants there. | |
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | |
| Nope, it gives me a headache! | |
| Well, one of them is 2,800, but bills are not included... | |
| Shall we meet at the train station, or do you want me to pick you up from your house? | |
| So Pogo gets on very well with dogs. | |
| Yes, that's the one. | |
| Yeah, it's normal, he even hisses at my new socks sometimes! | |
| I wear some of them, can I check them when I get back? | |
| Can I get you some more drinks? | |
| I feel hungry, too. | |
| Yes, he is one of them. | |
| Yes, I still don't do it. | |
| That's bad, do you have a cold? | |
| How much garlic do you want? | |
| How long does it usually take? | |
| Do you feel a bit better now? | |
| Hey, we are back. | |